COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Thursday, December 16, 1999 10:15 a.m. Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANNA C. VERNA COUNCILWOMAN AUGUSTA A. CLARK COUNCILMAN DARRYL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN DAVID COHEN COUNCILWOMAN JOAN L. KRAJEWSKI COUNCILMAN JAMES F. KENNEY COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER COUNCILMAN MICHAEL A. NUTTER COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO COUNCILMAN ANGEL L. ORTIZ COUNCILMAN FRANK DICICCO COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILMAN RICHARD T. MARIANO COUNCILMAN W. THACHER LONGSTRETH COUNCILMAN FRANK RIZZO PATRICIA RAFFERTY, Chief Clerk VINCENT VARALLO ASSOCIATES, INC. Registered Professional Reporters Eleven Penn Center, Suite 600 Philadelphia, PA 19103 OPENING/INVOCATION P R O C E E D I N G S
I note that the hour has come and that a quorum of this Council is present. Council will come to order, members will take their seats, visitors will retire to the seats outside the rails. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair welcomes Father Philip Dowling, Pastor of St. Patrick's Church. He is here today as a guest of Councilman Longstreth. Members and guests will please rise. (All rise.)
Good morning, everyone. Almighty eternal Father, we praise and bless Your holy name. Look kindly on those who have been chosen to legislate the affairs of the people of Philadelphia. In the stillness of this moment, we hear the voices of men and women who once served here, echoing throughout this august chamber. They speak to us about our past, about our struggles, about our accomplishments. OPENING/INVOCATION We gather at the end of another year, a year which brings to a close a century of great turmoil and pain, but also of victories and spectacular achievements of the human spirit. A new millennium opens before us. Lord, do not forget us, do not leave us behind. Enable those charged with responsibility to rise to their full stature. Let them not be hesitant to face what has to be done. Grant them the courage, foresight, and wisdom to rebuild our city to the prominence it once enjoyed; a city to which people want to come, not leave; a city heralded as the Cradle of Liberty; a city renowned for its urban genius; a city of culture and economic importance. And to this mighty endeavor, keep alive among us the vision of our founder who saw clearly a city in which all could worship in freedom. Heal us of the blindness that confuses separation of church and state with separation of religion from life. Heavenly Father, we love our city. We wish for it the very best. Bless us with confident leadership and a true spirit of working APPROVAL OF 12/9/99 JOURNAL together so that all, especially our youth, may find here a home and a welcoming place in which to live and to love. Open the door before us to a new and challenging future. To this may we say amen. ALL: Amen.
The Chair thanks the Reverend for that very beautiful invocation. Thank you so much, Father.
The Council will stand at ease. (Council stands at ease.)
The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of December 9, 1999. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Clark.
Madam President, I move the adoption of the Journal of that date. Give me a second. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of LEAVES OF ABSENCE the meeting of Thursday, December 9, 1999, stand approved. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it, the motion carries, and the Journal of Thursday, December 9, 1999 is approved.
The next order of business is leaves of absence. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Clark.
Madam President, today, I'm aware of no requests for leaves of absence on the part of the Majority.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Longstreth.
I have no requests for leaves of absence today, Madam President.
The Chair VISITOR RECOGNITION, PRESENTATIONS thanks you.
The Chair will dispense with the regular order of business to recognize the guests and visitors joining us in chambers this morning. On behalf of all Members of City Council, I welcome you to our Council session this morning. We appreciate your taking the time to join us as we attend to the legislative affairs of our city. We certainly invite you to come again. Today, we are honoring Mr. Noel Eisenstat. I invite Councilman Kenney to make this presentation and request that Mr. Eisenstat and those accompanying him please come forward.
I believe there may have been some mistake. I believe Councilman DiCicco did introduce that resolution and will be presenting it on behalf of Council.
Oh, I'm sorry. It does have your name here. VISITOR RECOGNITION, PRESENTATIONS Councilman DiCicco, sorry. I didn't mean to offend you in any way. Mr. Eisenstat, you've never been shy; why be shy now? Come up and join us. (Noel Eisenstat and staff members come forward.)
Thank you. At this time, I also Invite Councilmember Mariano, Councilwoman Blackwell, and Councilwoman Donna Miller. (Councilmembers come forward.)
This is a resolution honoring Noel Eisenstat. The Council of the City of Philadelphia hereby recognizes and honors Noel Eisenstat for his outstanding contributions to the City of Philadelphia during his tenure as Executive Director of the Philadelphia Authority of Philadelphia. Whereas, since 1992, Noel Eisenstat has served as Executive Director of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, the City's lead agency for land acquisition and disposition, as well as affordable housing development financing. During VISITOR RECOGNITION, PRESENTATIONS this time, he has streamlined operations at the Redevelopment Authority, and thousands of properties have been conveyed for redevelopment to remove blight in our neighborhoods; and. . .
And whereas, among many accomplishment under Noel Eisenstat, the Authority has provided financing and site assembly for over 2,000 units of affordable home ownership, rental and special-need housing for the city's low- and moderate-income residents. The Authority has played an essential role in assembling parcels for commercial, industrial, and retail development throughout the City; and. . .
Whereas, Noel Eisenstat is a driven individual who expects the very best of himself and his employees. One of his most outstanding accomplishments was his successful redevelopment of the Reading Terminal Train Shed. This beautiful historic attraction is now completely linked to our nationally renowned Convention Center and is host to the Hard Rock Cafe, a great tourist attraction; and. . .
Whereas, Noel Eisenstat committed himself not only to the VISITOR RECOGNITION, PRESENTATIONS business of the Redevelopment Authority, but also to his family, especially his children. Noel and his wife Beth Rosenbaum live in West Mt. Airy with their sons Benjamin and Aaron. He's a very active member of the synagogue and dedicates time to his community. He has been the recipient of dozens of awards and commendations for his outstanding contributions to citizens of this great city; and Whereas, Noel Eisenstat is leaving the Redevelopment Authority to begin another journal in his life, we are confident that he will bring the same enthusiasm, dedication, and commitment to this part of his life, as he has brought to our city.
Now, therefore, resolved by the Council of the City of Philadelphia that we hereby honor and commend Noel Eisenstat for his outstanding contributions to the City of Philadelphia during his tenure as Executive Director of the Redevelopment Authority of Philadelphia. We wish him well in his new future endeavors. Certified that this is a true and correct copy of the original resolution adopted by VISITOR RECOGNITION, PRESENTATIONS the Council of the City of Philadelphia on the 9th day of December, 1999, introduced by Councilmember James Kenney on behalf of Council President Anna C. Verna and cosigned by all members of City Council. Congratulations, Noel. (Applause.)
Now if Noel can get through this speech without a phone in his ear, we'll be lucky. (Laughter.)
Thank you very much for your kind words. This is a sad and happy day for me. I've looked forward to moving on and I've also enjoyed all of the time I've had with every Member here today and your staff, as well as my staff who is here. The Redevelopment Authority's good work is only due to your cooperation that you've always given the Authority, and I'm sure you will in the future. VISITOR RECOGNITION, PRESENTATIONS The only other thing I'd like to do is recognize my wife, who's been very understanding. And for those of you who have history in this building, my wife's grandfather served as Clerk of City Council from about 1945 to 1967. His name was Nathan Wolfman (ph.), and I like to think of traditions as something important, and I'm happy to recognize him today. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
Mr. Eisenstat, we want to thank you for all the help that you've been to us, and we certainly want to wish you well, health and success in the future. Thank you.
The Council will be at ease. (Council stands at ease.)
Our next presentation is recognizing December 1999 as Ramadan. VISITOR RECOGNITION, PRESENTATIONS I invite Councilman Kenney to come to make this presentation. Will Dr. Amin Alirby come forward with those who are accompanying him. Doctor?
This is a resolution recognizing December 1999 as "The Month of Ramadan." Whereas, there are approximately 5 million Muslims living in the United States, and of these, 80,000 reside in the Philadelphia area; and Whereas, all over the world, Muslims will be observing Ramadan from December 9, 1999 to January 8, 2000. Ramadan commemorates the revelation of the Holy Koran, so it is a time of rededication and a time of personal renewal; and Whereas, Ramadan is observed through fasting, prayer, and meditation, as the more than one billion Muslims throughout the word reflect on the foundations of the physical and moral strength they need in this troubled world; and Whereas, Ramadan encourages the Muslim community to develop compassion and unity and charity towards all persons and to seek unity and VISITOR RECOGNITION, PRESENTATIONS justice in all things. Now, therefore, resolved by the Council of the City of Philadelphia that we hereby recognize December 1999 as Ramadan, and salute the Muslim community of Philadelphia for its contributions to the citizens of this city. We join with you in prayer that the message of peace and brotherhood, which are at the heart of Ramadan, will also find their way into our own hearts and that each sunset will find the world a more serene and holy place. Further resolved that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Al-Aqsa Islamic Society as evidence of the respect of this legislative body for the Muslim community and this holiest of celebrations. Madam President, thank you very much.
Dr. Amin had a medical emergency. He had to go attend to a VISITOR RECOGNITION, PRESENTATIONS patient so Mr. Marwan Kriedie will give remarks.
Dr. Amin had a medical emergency and had to go and attend to a patient, so Mr. Marwan Kriedie will give remarks. Thank you.
Thank you, Council President, Councilman Mariano, and everyone else in the chambers. Ramadan is an important month for the Muslim Community, and as you know, Ramadan changes every year, since it follows the lunar calendar. This year, we find it very appropriate that Ramadan follows and is on the same time as other religions celebrate their holidays. So, from our community to everyone else in the city, let's make these holy days -- the Hanukkah, which just ended, and Christmas coming up -- let's make these a time that we can think about our city and everybody in there -Christian, Muslim, Jew -- and make this a time of peace and serenity. So congratulations from our community to everyone else. Thank you. (Applause.) COMMUNICATIONS
Council will be at ease. (Council stands at ease.)
The next order of business is communications. The Chair requests that the Sergeant-at-Arms deliver the messages from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk. The Chief Clerk will read the messages from the Mayor.
To the President and Members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am pleased to advise you that I have today signed all of the bills which were passed by Council at its session on December 2, 1999. And a resolution approving the redevelopment contract and disposition supplement of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of Stenton Avenue Urban Renewal Area.
The messages will be printed in the Journal. COMMUNICATIONS The Chief Clerk will read any other communications in her possession.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter.
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I should have done this earlier, but I think I was not in my seat at the time. Madam President, you were kind enough to recognize many of my constituents who were here today over in the caucus room, but now we are in the Council chambers, and I also wanted to have the opportunity to recognize them, express appreciation for their views and their concerns about a couple of the matters that are on today's calendar, and have them more formally recognized in the Council chamber here this morning.
Certainly. If they would stand, we'd be happy to recognize you. (Councilman Nutter's constituents stand for recognition.) INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS
Thank you for coming in. Thank you for coming in. Thank you. (Applause.)
The next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Clark.
Madam President, I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit consideration of resolutions at the time of their introduction.
It has been moved and seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit immediate consideration of resolutions at the time of their introduction. All in favor will vote aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it and the motion is carried. INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS Councilwoman Clark, do you have any bills or resolutions to introduce today?
Madam President, today I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Madam President, today I have no bills or resolutions.
Madam President, I have one resolution. Sorry to break the streak.
The clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution authorizing INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia a deed situate in the 7th and 19th Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
Madam President, I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it and the motion is carried. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Madam President. On your behalf, I offer one resolution today.
The clerk will please read the title of the resolution. INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia a deed situate in the 30th and 36th Wards City of the City of Philadelphia.
I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it and the motion is carried. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller.
The clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution urging the INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS United States House and Senate Immigration Subcommittee to hold joint hearings on the practice of female circumcision, requesting that female circumcision be examined as an additional criteria for asylum.
I move for the approval of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you, Madam President. I rise this morning certainly to speak to this resolution. Sorry, Madam President. Certainly Tuesday's article about Margareth Awiti of Tanzania, living in Councilman Nutter's area -
Excuse me, Councilwoman. Do you have your microphone on?
Yes, ma'am, I do have it on. Thank you. Is this any better? INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS
Thank you. Tuesday's article about Margareth Awiti, a Tanzanian living in Wynnefield, in Councilman Nutter's area, struck a tender chord in the hearts of many readers. Miss Awiti (inaudible) is a genuine fear. For women in the western world, it is difficult to imagine the physical and emotional torture associated with female circumcision. In other parts of the world, however, some women are expected to endure this procedure, often performed in secret by unskilled practitioners using crude, non-sterilized instruments like razor blades and other unskilled knives. Even though no painkillers are administered, the women do not cry out, for fear of disgracing their families. Sometimes female babies are circumcised at birth and mutilated for life. The fact that female circumcision has been outlawed in Tanzania should weigh on the positive side for Miss Awiti. It affirms that INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS this particular traditional practice needs to be abandoned because it is harmful and humiliating for women, and even Tanzanians no longer believe in it. If, as Margareth avows, the law is rarely enforced, then it means that the judicial system is dominated by those men who are not willing to be strong advocates for change. In February, 1994, this Council supported and voted for a resolution that we sponsored and was passed, thereby creating awareness for the plight of many unfortunate women and raising their hopes for legal protection. Margareth Awiti has spent most of her life running away from the painful experience of a forced marriage to a man 50 years her senior. Because she is brave enough to speak out on behalf of women in similar circumstances, she certainly deserves a chance for asylum. It is our sincere hope that her case will receive considerable support. And because of that, we have here the copy of the Resolution, No. 646, that was passed by Members of City Council in February, 1994. Supporting those were Congressman Patricia INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS Schroeder, who at that time, and Barbara Rose Kyland (ph.), who introduced a law, the Federal Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act of 1993, calling on the U.S. House or Representatives, the U.S. Senate, and President Clinton to support the legislation. And so we again mention this. We certainly are very, very sorry to hear about another such horrible case, but certainly would like to again note that Council has been on the right side of change and on the right side of defending and protecting women all over the world. Thank you. And with that, we tell Councilwoman Miller again we're very happy to support this legislation.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller.
Thank you, Madam President. I just want to speak too to the resolution and also be recorded as voting aye on the bills and resolutions that I missed while I was out of the Council chamber. INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS Women who seek asylum based on this and other gender-based issues face skepticism within the immigration courts that still view malecentered criteria and religious persecution as being more aligned with the refuge definition. And most endeavor to prove their case with painful testimony that is both shameful and difficult to divulge. And we just want to urge all people -male and female -- to write to Senator Kennedy, write to Senator Specter or call your local Congressperson or your United States senator to support that the immigration authority will grant the asylum to not just the person mentioned in our resolution but also to any women, to be more sensitive. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter.
Thank you, Madam President. I will certainly be brief. I just wish to commend again Councilwoman Miller and appreciate the comments of Councilwoman Blackwell INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS on this particular issue. I have, on one occasion, been involved with a matter similar to this with a woman who was about to be deported to Liberia, again, facing the prospect of genital mutilation. I was able in that particular situation, with strong support from the U.S. Attorney General's Office and the local Immigration and Naturalization Service, we were able to prevent the deportation of that particular young lady in that circumstance. We are now faced with another. This particular individual happens to be a constituent of mine, and I'm seeking to work with those same entities to hopefully prevent her return to Tanzania, again, to possibly face such a horrible and horrifying act that would be perpetrated against women -- whether from Tanzania or from other countries across this world. And so I commend Councilwoman Miller for her action. Thank you, Madam President.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS Clark.
Madam President, thank you for the opportunity to speak on this important issue. As a legislator and a woman of African descent, I strongly support this resolution, which reemphasizes the need for our government to recognize the seriousness of female circumcision and genital mutilation. I cannot imagine, were this kind of barbarous procedure to be the fate promised of man, that the United States Congress would say it is not a reason for asylum. I guess we got one more reason to increase the number of women who sit in legislative bodies. Because if you could see young women who have had this done to them, imagine being held down and having somebody take a razor blade, that may or may not have been sterilized, and mutilating your genitalia while you are fully awake. No anesthesia. Somebody said this is because of tradition? Well, it's time for us to end that tradition. And certainly we as Americans cannot condone it by sending young women back to a fate INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS worse than death. So I am very pleased to support the resolution and to urge my colleagues to do our part to end our condoning such a barbarous practice.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen.
Madam President, thank you. I think it's very important for men to begin speaking out on this subject very strongly. It indicates very clearly that the world still doesn't recognize the equality of women. They believe that women's tales are fanciful tales and never true and never worthy of consideration. The fight for feminine equality has advanced a great deal, but clearly has not been one when we see that this barbarous practice still exists in many parts of the world, and that Congress is composed, as Councilwoman Clark said, overwhelmingly of men, feels that it's not a matter for them to be seriously concerned about. I commend the sponsors of this INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS resolution and believe that we ought to make very clear our unanimous support of this resolution and against that practice. To return a woman to face this horrible mutilization (sic) of her body is a terrible thing, and we certainly ought to stand very strong against it. Thank you, Madam President.
Thank you. All those in favor of the adoption of the resolution will say aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it and the resolution has been adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter.
Thank you, Madam President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
The clerk will please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution approving INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS the redevelopment contract and disposition supplement of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Stenton Avenue Urban Renewal Area.
Madam President, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it and the motion is carried. The Chair recognizes Councilman Ortiz.
I have no bills or INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS resolutions today, Madam President.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I have two Redevelopment Authority resolutions and one resolution cosponsored by yourself, Councilman Kenney, Councilman DiCicco, and Councilman Longstreth.
Okay. The clerk will please read the title of the first resolution.
A resolution authorizing the City Council of Philadelphia to request that the City Planning Commission undertake a study to determine strategies for future development in Center City, Philadelphia.
The Chair INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS recognizes Councilman Clarke.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it and the resolution has been adopted. The clerk will read the title of the second resolution.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia a deed situate in the 16th, 29th, and 37th Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.) INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS
It has been moved and properly seconded that the motion be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it and the motion is carried. The Chief Clerk will please read the title of the last resolution.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia a deed situate in the 28th, 29th, 32nd, and 47th Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying COMMITTEE REPORTS aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it and the motion is carried. The Chair recognizes Councilman Longstreth.
Madam President, I have no bills or resolutions today.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Rizzo.
The next order of business is reports from committees. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Clark for a report from the Committee of Public Property and Public Works.
Madam President, the Committee on Public Property and Public Works reports Resolution No. 990890 out of committee with a favorable recommendation. COMMITTEE REPORTS
To the President and Members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Public Property and Public Works, to which was referred Resolution No. 990890, a resolution approving the City of Philadelphia's amended 911 Plan, and authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to submit the amended 911 Plan to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency for review and approval, as required by the Pennsylvania Public Safety Emergency Telephone Act, respectfully reports that it has considered the same and returns the attached resolution to Council with a favorable recommendation.
This resolution will be placed at the end of today's calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Ortiz for a report from the Public Safety Committee.
Madam Chair, the Public Safety Committee reports two resolutions -Resolution No. 990615 and Resolution No. 990775 COMMITTEE REPORTS out of committee with a favorable recommendation.
To the President and Members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Public Safety, to which was referred Resolution No. 990615, a resolution authorizing the City Council's Committee on Public Safety to hold a public hearing to investigate the possibility of changing the existing procurement process for salvers that pick up abandoned automobiles through a procurement process that creates or requests a proposal system for each police district, respectfully reports that it has considered the same and returns the attached resolution to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Madam Chair, I move the adoption of the report to the resolution.
It has been moved and properly seconded that the report of Resolution No. 990615 be accepted. COMMITTEE REPORTS All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it and the motion is carried. The report for Resolution No. 990615 stands approved. Resolution No. 990615 will be placed at the end of today's calendar. Councilman Clarke, do you want to be recognized?
Yes. Just a quick word, Madam President. I'd like to thank Councilman Ortiz for conducting these hearings and the other members of the Public Safety Committee, and I'd like to thank the many residents and police officers that came down and testified on behalf of this bill. It became quite clear to me that in order for us to resolve this very, very difficult problem, that we have to cooperate across party lines, whereas there's legislation pending in Harrisburg, I ask that all members of both this body and members of the Pennsylvania legislature and Senate cooperate, and we will probably get to COMMITTEE REPORTS some resolution. At that particular hearing, I asked members from the community to come down and do a check on us during the budget hearings, and if we had not come up with some resolution, to let us here it at that time. So I again ask that we cooperate fully in this matter. Thank you.
Thank you. The clerk will please read the report of Resolution No. 990775.
The Committee on Public Safety, after a full hearing on Resolution No. 990775, on December 6, 1999, adopted the attached recommendations at a public meeting on December 13, 1999. The committee requests that said recommendations be adopted by the entire City Council as the recommendations of the entire City Council.
Madam Chair, I move that the report on Resolution No. 990775 be approved. COMMITTEE REPORTS (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the report for Resolution No. 990775 be accepted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it and the motion is carried. The report for Resolution No. 990775 stands approved, and that resolution will be placed at the end of today's calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller for a report from the Education Committee.
Thank you, Madam President. The Committee on Education reports Resolution No. 990041 out of committee with a favorable recommendation.
To the President and Members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Education, to which COMMITTEE REPORTS was referred Resolution No. 990041, a resolution authorizing City Council's Committee on Education to hold public hearings on a proposal to require the School District of the City of Philadelphia to educate elementary and secondary school-aged children about the historical events surrounding the Great Irish Famine of 1945-1950, respectfully reports that it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached resolution to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Resolution No. 990041 will be placed at the end of today's calendar. Are there any other report from committees? (No response.)
Our next order of business would be the consideration of the first-reading calendar. However, we do not have any bills on the first-reading calendar; therefore, the Chair will go into our COMMITTEE REPORTS second-reading calendar. And the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Clark for the purpose of calling up bills to be considered on the second-reading and final-passage calendar.
Madam President, because we have a long list today, perhaps it would be useful for me to just call those that are not going to be heard.
So today, we will not hear bills on the first and second page. They are: Bill No. 980239, 990492, 990606, and 980048. Repeating, 980048.
All other bills printed in this calendar are called up for second and final passage.
The Chair thanks the Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen.
Madam President, I would like to move to suspend that portion of the COMMITTEE REPORTS first sentence in Roman numeral VII, Paragraph 6, which reads as follows: And this applies after the bill is reported, ready for a vote and final passage, our rules require the President to repeat after each bill the following: The President shall announce, as follows, "This bill having been read twice on two different days, the question now is, shall the bill pass finally?" That portion -- I move that the rules be suspended so as to not require the President to read that statement after each bill today. It would still be a separate vote and could lead to possible discussion on each bill. Thank you.
There's no doubt about it, Councilman. Thank you. Do I hear a second? (Duly seconded.)
All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The ayes have it and the motion is carried. Thank you, Councilman Cohen. SECOND READING - BILL 990718 The first bill to be called for consideration is Bill No. 990718.
An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to purchase fee simple title to a parcel of real estate, with any improvements situate thereon, located at 3033 South 63rd Street.
Aye. The ayes are 16, the nays are 0. A majority of all Members of Council having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. The next bill being called for consideration is Bill No. 990331. The clerk will SECOND READING - BILL 990331 read it.
An ordinance approving the redevelopment proposal of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment of a portion of the Jefferson Square Redevelopment Area, Jefferson Square Urban Renewal Area, being the area generally bounded by Washington Avenue on the north, South Fourth Street on the east, Dickinson Street on the South, and South Sixth Street on the west.
Thank you, Madam President. I'd like to speak on Bill No. 990331. I'd like to call to the attention of this Council one element of the Redevelopment Authority project that will commence as a result of this legislation and much of the discussion that took place in the Rules Committee when we were hearing the bill being read before us today. I'm proud to report that my office and the Jefferson Square Community Corporation have entered into a comprehensive agreement with the homeowners in the affected area, an agreement that SECOND READING - BILL 990331 will ensure that those homeowners are able, regardless of household income, to benefit from the redevelopment. In short, the agreement provides that the existing owner-occupants will be provided the opportunity to acquire replacement housing within the redevelopment area at no additional cost from what they are currently paying in monthly housing costs. This agreement was described to the Rules Committee, which encouraged its being reduced to writing in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding. That Memorandum of Understanding has been drafted and signed by myself, by the Jefferson Square Community Development Corporation, and by representatives of the St. John's Leadership Team, two of which are here this morning -- oh, more than two, excuse me. Several of the Leadership Team are here this morning. I thank you for your patience with me and for your cooperation to reach this conclusion. I thank the Rules Committee for its help in making this happen and I ask for the President's consent to make this Memorandum of Understanding a part of the record of this SECOND READING - BILL 990331 legislative action. I also have a letter from Mr. Eisenstat, of the Redevelopment Authority, making it clear that the Redevelopment Authority will schedule its relocation activities, consistent with the Memorandum of Understanding, and I ask that this letter also be made a part of the record. I've provided to each of the Members here this morning a copy of the letter from Noel Eisenstat to Mr. Ackelsberg, who is a representative from the Community Legal Services on behalf of the St. John's Leadership Team, and I will provide copies of these letters to the clerk so that they will be made a part of the record.
May I also suggest that copies be provided to the stenographer. Thank you.